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Kyoto

City in southern Kyoto Prefecture, central Honshū. The ancient capital of Japan and home of the imperial court from 794 to 1868. Rich in historical sites and relics, it is today the seat of the prefectural government and one of Japan's largest cities. Kyoto is renowned for its fine textiles and traditional products and is also a thriving center for industry. Kyoto was one of the few cities to escape bombing during World War II. As such, it maintains a large number of historical structures; it also contains 20% of Japan's national treasures. (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)